Median rent is 2% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,612/mo). Buying is cheaper in Charlotte, where the median home runs $385,700 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $82,068 a year). Taken together, Charlotte is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 98.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Charlotte is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.3 in Charlotte vs 98.4 in Raleigh (US national average = 100)
City A
Charlotte, NC
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Charlotte, NC?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$75,795
You'd need $795 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Charlotte
North Carolina
Raleigh
North Carolina
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,612/mo in Charlotte and $1,572/mo in Raleigh. Median home values are within 7% of each other: $385,700 in Charlotte and $415,800 in Raleigh.
Metric
Charlotte
Raleigh
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Charlotte
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Charlotte is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Charlotte.
Median rent is $1,612/mo in Charlotte, NC and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $82,068 in Charlotte, NC and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Raleigh, NC has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Charlotte, NC is equivalent to roughly $101,060 in Raleigh, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
